Frequently Asked Questions

How do I download data?

Data that we are able to distribute will be available through the Get Data link on the top bar. Third party data will be linked back to the original source. You can also access the downloads from the top bar of our website, outside the Map Tool: click Resources/Data.

Where can I find information about each data set?

The blue info buttons next to each layer display a brief description. Full metadata can be viewed and downloaded through the Get Data link on the top bar. To view, click on Data Documentation.

Who contributed to these data?

We have tried to acknowledge data contributors in the blue info button pop up next to each data layer. More details are contained in the Data Documentation section on that layer, which can be accessed from the Get Data tab on the top navigation bar. We would also like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their substantial contributions to the development of the Natural Resource Navigator:

Timothy Howard and Matthew Schlesinger, New York Natural Heritage Program

Myrna Hall and Fenqing Weng, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Northeast Regional Climate Center

S. Forest Service, Sustaining Forests Unit

S. Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis Unit

Brad Compton, University of Massachusetts Amherst

iMapInvasives

Scenic Hudson

How often are these data updated?

We will review data sets semi-annually in March and September and determine whether there are any updates that we can easily incorporate. We will contact users through our listserv to help prioritize those updates. If you have suggestions about data sets to update and/or can help us do so, please contact us.

For data sets that were produced by others and shared by us through the Navigator, we are endeavoring to deliver as many as possible as map services which can be easily updated whenever the original data set is updated. Upgrading layers to map services is something we will pursue on an on-going basis. If you can help with this, please contact us.

For the data sets that are derived from land cover data sets, we have no immediate plans to regenerate them with subsequent versions of land cover data sets.

Sign up for our listserv to receive data update alerts and other news about the Navigator!

Do you plan to add additional data sets? When?

We will consider adding new data sets on a quarterly basis, in March, June, September, and December. We will contact users through our listserv to help identify and prioritize desired new additions. Please sign up for our listserv to be included in these discussions! If you have suggestions about data sets to add and/or can help us do so, please contact us at any time.

How can I submit a suggestion for new data sets to include?

Please complete a suggestion form. We are actively seeking suggestions for how to improve the Navigator.

How can I submit a suggestion for new resources to include?

What do I do if the Map Tool isn’t working?

Due to occasional updates and improvements of the underlying code of the Map Tool, it may no longer work well if it is pulling from what you had previously accessed. You can try a different browser; the Map Tool is temporarily not working in Google Chrome; try an incognito window; try clearing your cache/deleting your browsing history.

How can I get a basic orientation to the Map Tool?

Click on the Help tab on the right side of the top navigation bar and select the Tour.

How do I zoom into my area of interest?

There are multiple options:

Type a location into the Search bar at the upper left, and select from the drop down options that appear.

Click on the map and drag the cursor to pan your view, and use the + and – buttons at the upper left to zoom in and out.

Double click on the map to zoom into that location one setting. Repeat to zoom in farther.

How do I search for a data layer?

Launch the Map Layer tree using the button on the left navigation bar, and then type a word in the bar at the top of the Map Layers window. Note that this is different from the Zoom/Search by Address bar always present at the top left.

How is the Map Layer Tree organized?

Boundaries and Reference and Protection at the top of the list are used to help locate and define project areas.

Habitat data are organized by Condition, Threat, Exposure, Sensitivity, Recommendations and Supporting Data. Data components used to generate recommendations are indicated by the word SCORED at the beginning of the layer name. You can further investigate these layers and their impact on the recommendations using the Habitat Explorer application.

Current Condition (C) – Current health or status of the target. Deviation from natural range of variation.

Future Condition/Threat (T) – The future expected trend in condition due to human activities through the 2050s. Future threats may be ongoing (having contributed to a past decline in condition that is expected to persist or get worse) or new (not previously encountered or significant but expected to cause future declines in condition).

Direct Climate Change Exposure (E) – The degree of direct changes in climate, such as temperature or moisture regime, that the location or target is predicted to experience. o Inherent

Sensitivity to Climate Change (S) – The degree to which the target is likely to change in response to climate change, based on inherent attributes and additional risk factors SEPARATE from exposure.

Additional data on specific topics are in folders at the bottom, including Climate, Ecosystem Services, Freshwater Flooding, and Land Use/Land Cover.

Species data are in the bottom folder, organized by taxon and common name. The data types available vary by species. Use the Species Explorer application accessed from the left navigation bar to more easily identify species relevant to your project area or interests. You can turn on data for specific species from this Species Explorer application as well as from within the Map Layer Tree.

How do I change the basemap?

Click the drop-down in the upper right corner to change the selection. You will find several different options available that may make viewing of certain layers easier.

How do I view the legend?

Whatever you clicked on last should appear at the top of the legend. Expand the window or scroll down to see multiple layers.

How do I expand the legend?

Click and drag the bottom right corner. You can drag the legend from the top of the window to move it around.

How do I view more map information?

Simply click the map in the area you want more information on, and a popup will show detail for the displayed layers in that location, including supporting information that isn’t symbolized. Click the arrows next to the layer name to expand and show all available attributes. (Clicking works like the Identify tool in other mapping software).

Note that sometimes the colors in the map legend and the data display might be hard to match, depending on your monitor. Use this click and identify feature to help with this.

How do I find more information about each data set?

The blue info buttons next to each layer will display a brief description. Full metadata can be viewed and downloaded through the Get Data link on the top bar-click on Data Documentation. This document is organized in the same order as the Map Layer Tree.

How do I download data?

Data that we are able to distribute will be available through the Get Data link on the top bar. Third party data will be linked back to the original source. You can also access the downloads from the top bar of our website, outside the Map Tool: click Resources/Data.

How do I save my work so I can come back to it?

Use the Save & Share button near the bottom of the left sidebar. This creates a hyperlink that you can email, embed in a website, or bookmark and return to later.

How do I print?

Export Page (printer icon) button at the bottom of the left sidebar. The Habitat and Species Explorers also have printer buttons at the top right of their windows.

What do the Explorers do?

The Explorers help to summarize and interpret the data in the Map Layers. Click on the icon on the left navigation bar to launch either one. These can also be launched from the Launchpad, which offers tips on what to open based on your interests.

Habitat Explorer: Generates custom summaries of stream and forest data for condition, threat, sensitivity and exposure. These are then used to map recommended conservation objectives.

Species Explorer: Summarizes multiple suitable habitat models to generate a list of species potentially present within a hexagonal unit. Includes climate vulnerability and future habitat data for some species. Download a tabular summary for the state, print custom species lists, and view habitat maps.

How do I launch the Guidebook from within the Map Tool?

Click on the Go To drop down menu in the top navigation bar, or click the link in the Launchpad window (click Launchpad to display). There are also links to relevant Guidebook sections within the Habitat and Species Explorer applications.

How do I submit a question or a request for technical support?

The Natural Resource Navigator is an on-line, spatial, interactive decision support tool designed to help natural resource managers make climate smart decisions to sustain natural resources. The Navigator aims to facilitate the development of actionable site-specific strategies. Decision makers get concrete recommendations for where and under what circumstances particular adaption strategies should be used.